“Why wouldn’t I?” I challenged.
“Because he was always into you, not her,” Mom said, matter of factly.
“What?” I squeaked, pausing my slicing.
Mom nodded. “It was always you, honey. And even if you’d had the define the relationship talk and you told him to take a hike, I never got the impression he’d disrespect you by sleeping with her before talking to you first.”
I bit back tears. “He really wouldn’t have, would he?”
“No, baby, he wouldn’t.”
“But he took Nora to prom.”
“Because he thought you were telling him to.” She gave me a gentle smile. “You’ve always been very careful with your words, sweetheart, which means that sometimes you don’t ‘spit it out.’ You find it difficult to be direct.”
“Yeah, but he wasn’t into me back then.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s true, honey,” Mom countered.
“Huh?”
She smiled. “I have a feeling if he’d known how you felt, he would have let his true feelings for you take root and grow. Even back then.”
“God, I’m so stupid,” I whispered.
“You’re not stupid, Tate. You were just hurt. Heartbreak can wreak havoc on your emotions and make you do things that aren’t logical.” She cupped my chin. “Let this guide your future with Flash and make sure you’re always honest with him.”
I nodded.
“And don’t wait that long again to check in with your mother,” she ordered. “I could have told you he wasn’t tapping that ass if you’d just asked.”
“Ew, Mom, don’t ever say that again.”
“Well, I’m not going to refer to her WAP.”
“Stop! Oh my god, Mom, no.”
Mom grinned as she raised her hands. “My job is done.” I made puking motions and she laughed, handing me three potatoes. “Quarter those, please.”
As I helped Mom with prepping dinner, I allowed her unconditional love to fill me with peace. I often forgot that she had my back... I realized I’d forgotten a lot of people had my back, and I vowed I’d do more to change that.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel so gloomy. I was looking forward to my time with Flash and could finally see a future for us.
* * *
One week later, Flashpicked me up with the promise of a surprise. “Where are we going?”
“I’m going to show you my house.”
“Wait, you have a house?”
“Yep.”
“I don’t mean to sound rude, but how the hell did you afford a house?”
“My parents.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Your parents paid for your house?”
